thirty third sunday in ordinary time, year b

Prepared by the Liturgy Centre, Catholic Diocese of Auckland 1

Liturgy of the Word with Children Te Ritenga o te Kupu hei ngā Tamariki

Prepared by the Liturgy Centre, Catholic Diocese of Auckland

Thirty Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B Green

‘Jesus’ words will last forever’ Daniel 12:1-3 Psalm 16 Mark 13:24-32

At the end of time,

Jesus will return in power and glory

and will welcome all those

who have been chosen to join him

in the kingdom of heaven.

.

Leader’s Preparation In preparation for leading this celebration, begin by reading and reflecting on the Scriptures for the Thirty Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, starting with the Gospel. (You may choose to use or focus on one reading only, but remember that the Gospel may not be omitted.) Then look through the preparatory material that follows and familiarise yourself with the Liturgy Outline.

GOSPEL Mark 13:24-32

Jesus said to his disciples: “In those days, right after that time of suffering,

‘The sun will become dark, and the moon will no longer shine. The stars will fall, and the powers

in the sky will be shaken.’

Then the Son of Man will be seen coming in the clouds with great power and glory. He will send

his angels to gather his chosen ones from all over the earth.

Learn a lesson from a fig tree. When its branches sprout and start putting

out leaves, you know summer is near. So when you see all these things

happening, you will know that the time has almost come. You can be

sure that some of the people living today will still be alive when all this

happens. The sky and the earth will not last forever, but my words will.

No-one knows the day or the time. The angels in heaven don’t know,

and the Son himself doesn’t know. Only the Father knows.”


FIRST READING Daniel 12;1-3

Prince Michael is the protector of your people, and he will appear when a time of terrible

trouble comes. That will be the worst time in all history. Nothing like it has ever happened

before.

But your people who have their names written in the book will be protected. Many of those

who lie dead in the ground will rise from death. Some of them will be given eternal life, but

others will receive nothing but eternal shame and disgrace.

Everyone who has been wise will shine as bright as the sky above, and everyone who has led

others to please God will shine like the stars.

PSALM Psalm 16

Response: Keep me safe, O God: you are my hope

or Alleluia!

You, Lord, are all I want! You are my choice, and you keep me safe.

I will always look to you, as you stand beside me and protect me from fear. R

With all my heart, I will celebrate, and I can safely rest.

I am your chosen one.

You won’t leave me in the grave or let my body decay. R

You have shown me the path to life, and you make me glad by being near to me.

Sitting at your right side, I will always be joyful. R

Scriptures from the Lectionary for Masses with Children (CEV) © Archdiocese of Chicago LTP. 1994 Used with permission


Background to the Readings for Leaders The readings are in symbolic language that tells us the time of salvation is not known for certain

and that uncertainty increases the imaginative language used. It paints a picture of stressful

times and disorder, a time when creation is in flux. By using a fig tree as a sign of the coming of

summer, Jesus points out to his disciples that they must observe the world around them. The

Psalm points the way to the attitude that we should adopt in the face of chaos and disorder,

and offers us hope. The first Christian communities believed that the end times and Christ’s

second coming were very close, and it was only after many years when this did not happen that

the language of the second coming was mellowed. Recognising the ‘signs of the times’ and

responding in faith to changing circumstances is required of Christians.

Images from the Readings · God gathers his chosen ones

· Jesus’ words will last forever

· You are my hope

· Be watchful

Reflection for Leaders The Gospel records practically the final message that Jesus shared with his disciples before his

passion, so it is not surprising that he concentrates on helping them to understand something

of the end times. This language is termed ‘apocalyptic’, and was a literary style common at the

time. We need to remember to not try to understand it in the literal sense, but focus on the

message that was being conveyed: to live in anticipation of the end of our own life or times.

Jesus tells his disciples to spread the Good News and live in anticipation of the time when God’s

plan comes to fruition.

What does this mean to us? What might the world look life if God was again ‘Lord of all

Creation’?

Do you ever contemplate your own death?

Reflect on times when you have experienced chaos and disorder. Times when you have felt

things were happening around you that you could not control. What did this feel like?

What signs of growth, life, death or change do you see around you – in the natural world, your

community, your family, yourself?

What helps you to live in an expectant and watchful way?

What words of Jesus stay with you most powerfully? Why?

Be attentive to change this week.


Reflecting on the Readings with the children Before Sunday read over the suggested discussion points given in the Leader’s Liturgy Outline. With the 8-12 year olds: First, listen to the children’s own responses to the Reading/s and then, if needed, use some of the discussion starters suggested. With the 5-7 year olds: Adapt some of the questions in the 8-12 material and then join with the older group for the ‘Liturgical Action’.

Suggested Focus Green cloth, Lectionary, a candle,

a small sprig of greenery with new growth,

or a spring-bulb just emerging


LEADER’S LITURGY OUTLINE

Thirty Third Sunday Ordinary Time, Year B

At a suitable moment after the Opening Rites, but before the First Reading is proclaimed, the children are presented with the Children’s Lectionary and a candle and sent, with their ministers, to the place where they will celebrate their own Liturgy of the Word, with words of dismissal such as the following:

INVITATION – Pōwhiri I invite the children to join in the procession for

their celebration of the Liturgy of the Word. To the Minister of the Word: Receive this Book of Readings and proclaim God’s Word

faithfully to the children entrusted to your care. Receive this candle as the light of Christ who is present in

his Word.

PROCESSION WITH THE BOOK OF READINGS – Te Kapa o te Pukapuka Tapu

WELCOME – Ko te whakatau Leader: Loving God, thank you for the gift of faith we received at our baptism. May we

always recognise our faith as a gift and learn to share it with others.

℞ Amen.

First Reading: Daniel 12;1-3

(if used) The Word of the Lord / Ko te Kupu a te Ariki Thanks be to God / Whakamoemiti ki te Atua

Psalm 16 Response: Keep me safe, O God: you are my hope

or Alleluia!


GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (Sing) Music © 2011 Maria Guzzo

Gospel: Mark 13:24-32

Minister of the Word: A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Mark Children: Glory to you, O Lord / Korōria ki ā koe, e te Ariki At the end of the Gospel: The Gospel of the Lord Children: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ / Kia whakanuia rā koe, e te Ariki, e Hēhu Karaiti.

REFLECTING ON THE READINGS WITH THE CHILDREN – Whai Whakaaro 8-12 year olds: Suggested Beginning: A good place to begin is with the question: What did you hear? Allow children the opportunity to respond in their own words to hearing the Word of God. When each has had an opportunity to speak you might begin general discussion by building on to their responses, perhaps using some prepared questions, like the following, to stimulate ideas: Jesus was using the example of a fig tree to talk about the time when he will come again.

What was he telling the people about what the fig tree’s leaves could show them?

(summer was coming)

What was Jesus telling his disciples to do?

Jesus was telling the people that knowing when things are going to happen was not

as important as the way that we live – how we try to love one another and how we

act as his disciples. What is it that Jesus wants us to do? How are we to act and live?

Jesus says his words will last forever. How do we know what Jesus’ words were?

Where do we find them?


5-7 year olds: Adapt some of the questions in the 8-12 material and then join with the older group for the ‘Liturgical Action’

LITURGICAL ACTION – Ko te Ritenga Karakia With reference to the spring bulb which begins to show signs of new growth,

invite the children to hold hands and pray together:

“Keep me safe, O God,

and help me to grow

into all that you want me to be.

Amen”

PROFESSION OF FAITH – Panui o te Whakapono We believe in God the Father, who made the whole world. We believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who was born in Bethlehem and lived among us, who died on the cross for us, and rose from the dead. We believe in the Holy Spirit who brings life and love to us all. We believe that the Church is one family, and that one day we will share everlasting life with God in heaven. Amen.


PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL – Te Īnoīnga o te Hunga Whakapono (Here are some suggested intercessions; you are encouraged to compose your own according to the age and experience of the children)

Leader: With glad hearts let us pray to God for all our needs:

For the church, that her leaders will be wise and lead others to please God. We

pray to the Lord.

℞. Lord hear our prayer or E te Ariki whakarongo mai rā ki a mātou

For families that are strong and pray together We pray to the Lord.


That the people of Aotearoa-New Zealand will be watchful and caring for those

who suffer injustice. We pray to the Lord.


For the sick and lonely of our community and our town/city, that they many

find comfort and friendship. We pray to the Lord.


Leader: Merciful God, bless us and those for whom we pray, through Jesus Christ our

Lord

All: Amen

The children re-join the assembly before the prayers over the gifts.

thirty third sunday in ordinary time, year b

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